Events named for first annual Music & Arts Festival of the Tonawandas

Thu, Jul 12th 2018 05:15 pm

Event in the City of Tonawanda & North Tonawanda

In July, the Twin Cities will host the inaugural Music and Arts Festival of the Tonawandas, a five-day event highlighting the history and art communities of the two cities.
From July 31 to Aug. 4 2018, various events will take place in both North Tonawanda and Tonawanda featuring live music, art, food, activities for families and opportunities to visit local businesses, galleries and museums. The event will offer both new events and will also work existing events into a week-long celebration.
The festival will be put in as part of a combined effort between the Carnegie Art Center and Gateway Harbor, Inc. in partnership with Project 308 Art Gallery, River Art Gallery, Partners in Art, both cities' youth centers and various local businesses. The festival schedule is as follows:

July 31
• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Corning Glass Barge (from the Corning Glass Museum) and the Lois McClure Boat will be docked at Gateway Harbor and will be open to the public for tours. Check out their full schedule here: https://glassbargetour.lcmm.org/visit-follow/.

• 5 p.m.: Webster's Bistro & Bar will host a Farm to Table Artisans Block Party & Dinner
This event will feature painters, musicians and chefs who will put on demonstrations outside of the restaurant. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., during which local watercolor artist Jody Ziehm will be the featured artist. Reservations for the dinner can be made by visiting River Art Gallery & Gifts at 83 Webster St. or purchased online at carnegieartcenter.org.

Aug. 1
• 6 to 10 p.m.: Gateway Harbor will host "Who Are You", a tribute to The Who, a free concert on the North Tonawanda side of Gateway Harbor Park. The concert will also feature internationally renowned artist, Philip Burke live painting during the concert. There will also be a merchandise tent on site selling high quality Philip Burke prints and other gifts. Burke's performance is sponsored by River Art Gallery And Gifts and Pencil In The River Studio.

Aug. 2
• 5 to 8 p.m.: Food Truck Thursday will return to the Tonawanda side of Gateway Harbor, bringing food trucks, live music and a craft show to the Young Street hub.

Aug. 3
• 8 p.m.: The Riviera Theatre will host a concert with Carla Sacco, who will perform a tribute to Shania Twain, and Fresh Horses, a tribute act performing the hits of Garth Brooks. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased on the theater's website, www.rivieratheatre.org, or at their box office, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday. The theater is located at 67 Webster St.

Aug. 4
• An all-day art walk will be held spanning both cities. It will include art shows and family-friendly activities at various art galleries, businesses and museums.

Visit Art Walk of the Tonawandas for a full schedule of events.
Some highlights include:

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Children's activities on both sides of the harbor with local food and live music.

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Artists will be featured at various locations throughout town, at local galleries, downtown businesses and on Oliver Street. Project 308 Gallery will be hosting the fifth annual Oliver Street Art Festival.

• 4 to 6 p.m.: An art auction will be held at the The Boardroom - a board game cafe - featuring works that were created during the course of the festival. Proceeds will benefit the participating artists and next year's festival.

Thank were given to sponsors: Lumber City Development Corporation, North Delaware Printing Inc, River Art Gallery And Gifts and Pencil In The River Studio.

The festival committee is currently seeking artists and musicians to participate. The committee is also seeking sponsors to support the event, with sponsorships starting at $25. Anyone looking for more information or who is interested in getting involved can contact Natalie Brown at [email protected].